Sandy boasts a safety champ
City slashed injuries, lawsuits and insurance, thanks largely to 1 man
Everything from injuries to lawsuits and insurance costs have plummeted in Sandy over the past decade, despite population increases and a doubling of the city work force. And that leaves millions of dollars to spread around in salaries, bonuses and capital projects, officials say.
A large part of the thanks goes to Bryce McEuen, the attorney who manages risk for the city. But the longtime safety advocate defers praise to city department heads who doggedly implement safety policies.
Regardless, the Workers Compensation Fund has placed the responsibility squarely on McEuen's shoulders and honored him with a one-of-a-kind Safety Champion Award plus a plaque and a copy of Frederic Remington's noted sculpture of four cowboys "Coming Through the Rye."
Compensation Fund spokeswoman Peggy Larsen said the bronze sculpture represents triumphant cowboys returning from battle — safe and sound. The artist probably intended to convey carousing cowboys drunk on rye whiskey, but no matter, McEuen said, grinning. The grandfather of 10 plans to add the sculpture to his home art collection.
"I think that's kind of why I got this award, because I'm such a freak," he said.
McEuen's co-workers don't go that far but do tease him about the foot-tall piles of papers scattered on his desk. The safety manager is very analytical but also kind and great to work with, they say.
Sandy assistant chief administrative officer Scott Bond has worked with McEuen for 16 years.
"He's very valuable to the organization," Bond said. "I don't think we could do what we've done without Bryce and his expertise. He's allowed us to set up our own safety and insurance program in a way that's really allowed us to take a lot of money that would go for injuries and claims and use that to serve the citizens."
Over the years, that saved money has been used for projects such as sidewalk repair and installation of ventilators to protect city mechanics. Funds have also gone toward employee raises and safety bonuses, which Mayor Tom Dolan hands out annually to employees with no history of safety violations.
McEuen believes that policies such as Sandy's are essential to create happy communities. Studying and preventing risk is vital to maintaining safety, he said. Companies and individuals should take deliberative, positive steps rather than becoming cynical, he believes.
The city agrees, citing McEuen's work as a reason for the city's consistently high public safety rankings.
Recent comments
I really enjoyed reading Rebecca Palmer's article in the Deseret...
Jay Bagley | June 16, 2008 at 8:08 a.m.
